Southport Croquet Club Use Technology to Save Time & Attract Volunteers
Overwhelmed by club admin? See how Southport Croquet Club used simple tech to reduce volunteer workload, streamline payments, and make management easier.
Running a successful croquet club involves more than just organising play.
Behind the scenes, dedicated committees are making operational and financial decisions. They're balancing budgets, managing assets, and making strategic choices that impact the club for years to come.
It's the business side of croquet, and getting it right is the key to a sustainable future.
Southport Croquet Club president Charlie Ernst has navigated many of these tough decisions. He shares his insights on how a strategic, business-minded approach can lead to a healthier, more enjoyable club for everyone. One of the biggest decisions they face is a perfect example: how to maintain their lawns.
But smart decisions aren't just about managing huge costs; they're also about improving your members’ experience. When Southport decided to get a liquor license, it wasn't just about selling drinks. It was a strategic move to improve the social fabric of the club, making it a more welcoming place to stay and connect after a game.
Charlie explains the strategic decision to get a liquor license was to improve the club’s off court interactions. He details the simple, cashless process Southport use, which makes sales easy for the treasurer to manage and account for.
Of course, these choices aren't made on a whim. They are the result of a structured and thoughtful process.
For any major operational change, Charlie explains that the committee undertakes a proper analysis to ensure they're making the best decision for the club's future, weighing up all the costs and benefits before committing.
Major operational changes require a structured approach. Charlie describes how Southport undertake a formal cost benefit analysis and presenting it to the management committee before making a decision.
Ultimately, every committee decision, from lawn care to licensing, is aimed at one simple goal: creating a better club. Committee decisions are about ensuring the facilities are top-notch, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the members get the most enjoyment possible from their time on and off the lawn.
Having a nice veranda, new lights, nice mallets and good equipment all add up to members enjoying their time at the club.
By using forward thinking our clubs will thrive. Sharing these challenges and successes with each other helps all club leaders make smarter decisions for the future of croquet in Queensland.
Share your club's operational successes and challenges with other leaders on Club Hub.
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